Chicken trough



April 12, 1932. V N DEVlTT v 1,854,117

CHICKEN TROUGH Filed March :51, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS April 12, l N V T v CHICKEN THOUGH Filed March 51, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'NVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 12, 1932 ETED 1ST GLEN NOBLE DEVITT, F TURLOGK, CALIFORNIA CHICKEN THOUGH Application filed March 31,

This invention relates to improvements in chicken troughs.

The principal object of this invention is to produce a sanitary drinking trough for a chickens and the like fowl.

Another object is to produce a device of this character which will maintain itself in a sanitary condition.

A further object is to produce a device in) which is economical to manufacture.

A still further object is to produce a device wherein the trough will be automatically washed out at predetermined periods.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts to throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a rear view of my device, with parts broken away, in section and in elevation.

Figure 2 is a top plan view with parts broken away.

Figure 8 is an end elevation.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken approximately online 4-4 of Figure 2, and with the parts in normal position.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the parts to in operative position.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective View of the drinking receptacle or trough, and illustrates the float actuated tilting mechanism.

t is a well known fact that many diseases common to chickens are transmitted through the drinking trough. Therefore applicant has produced. a drinking trough wherein the same is periodically dumped and at the same time thoroughly cleansed by washing any refuse which may be within the trough.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a substantially rectangular casing which has a slanting bottom 6. A drain pipe is shown at 7 which drain pipe may connect with the casing 5 at any convenient point. l/Vithin the casing 5 is pivoted an elongated receptacle which I term a trough 8, the trough being pivoted oft" center 1930. Serial No. 440,590.

as at 9 and held in its normal position through the instrumentality of springs 11 connected to pivoted arms 12, the latter extending from the ends of the trough 8 and terminating in 5 i eyelets which receive one of the end convolutions of the coil springs 11. while the other end convolutions are disposed in eyelets secured to the ends of the casing 5 as clearly shown titions are provided with openings 17 which permit water to flow in the compartment from the trough proper as the latter is being filled from the pipe 18, that is controlled by a float 19 actuating a valve positioned in the filling pipe 21, the valve being disposed at the juncture of the pipe 18 with the pipe 21 as best shown in Figure 1. The pipe 18 extends the entire length of the trough and is suitably supported slightly above the bottom thereof. Disposed throughout the length of the pipe 18 are openings for the purpose of not only filling the trough 8 but also jets of water from the openings will wash the trough when the same is in the position as shown inFigure 5. In order to maintain the trough in its position as shown in Figure 4, I provide a latching means which includes a float actuated catch 19 adapted to engage a cross piece 21' carried by the trough, and the catch is formed with an arm 23 that is pivoted as at 22, and the arm 23 has secured to its free end a float 24 that is disposed within the compartment 13. It will be apparent that from the construction just described, that as the trough proper is being filled with water, small portion of the water will pass through the open ings 17 for disposal in the compartment 13 and when the compartment 13 becomes filled, the float 24: will raise and release the catch 19 from the cross piece 21 which will of course result in the trough being tilted to the position as shown in Figure 5, and the water within the compartment 13 will pass between the cover plate 26 and the adjacent edge of the trough 8, the space between the plate 26 and trough 8 provides a funnel like opening 27. The water is directed from the funnel like opening 2'? to a catch pan 28 carried by an arm having an adjustable weight thereon and which is pivoted as at 29. Formed with the arm is a lup; 31 which is arranged in the path of a lug; 32 for engagement therewith, and the lug S2 is secured to the bottom of the trough 8, therefore the trough is held in its tilted position as shown in Figure 5. It will be apparent that the weight of the water in the catch pan 28 will cause the arm which carries the lug 31 to move to the position as sh own in Figure 5 for disposing the lug; 31 into engagement with the his 32. -he trough 8 is held in its tilted position unc er the influence of the weight ofthe water in the catch pan 28 for a sufficient length of time to permit all of the water to pass out of the trough proper and have the jets from the pipe 18 thoroughly cleanse the interior of the trough 8.

As soon as all ot the water has run from the pan 28 through an opening therein, the arm carrying; the pan, will move to its normal position. thereby dropping" the lug; 31 out of engagement with the lug: 32 and permitting the springs 11 to function to return the trough to its normal position where it will again be locked by the catch 19. The partitions 83 are shaped to provide an underpass for the posof the pipe 18 and water from one section of the trough to the other. In Figures 1 and 2 I have shown a cover 34 over the latch mechanism so that the same cannot become deranged.

It is to be understood that t 1e form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material. size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subioined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a device of the character described, a substantially rectangular casing, a trough pesitioned within said casingsaid trough being eccentrically mounted, a latch for normally maintaining said trough in horizontal position, means for periodically releasing said catch for the purpose specified.

2. In a device of the character described, a casing. a trough positioned within said cas ing', said trough being eccentrically mounted, a latch positioned in said trough and adapted to normally maintain. said trough in horizontal position, a float connected to said latch and adapted to release said latch for tipping said trough and spring means for returning said trough to its horizontal position.

3. In a device of the character described, a casing, a trough positioned within said casing, said trough being eccentrically mounted, a latch positioned in said trough and adapted to normally maintain said trough in horizontal position, a float connected to said latch and adapted to release said latch for tipping said trough, spring means for returning said trough to its horizontal position, and means for regulating the time interval of actuation of said float.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GLEN NOBLE DEVITI. 

